Driver facing charges

Friday, July 9, 2004

CHARLESTON - A Kentucky man faces several charges following a June 27 traffic accident which resulted in the deaths of two children.

Christopher C. Wyland, 50, of Hickman, Ky., faces two charges of vehicular involuntary manslaughter and three counts of second degree vehicular assault. He will appear before Judge T. Lynn Brown at 10 a.m. Aug. 11 in the Mississippi County Circuit Court.

According to reports from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the accident occurred on Highway 60 in Mississippi County, seven miles east of Charleston. Wyland reportedly crossed the center line and struck head on a vehicle driven by LaTosha A. Yates, 28, of Kevil, Ky.

Two children in the Yates vehicle were pronounced dead at the scene by Mississippi County Coroner Terry A. Parker. They were Brittany Renee Tipler, 14, of East Prairie and 1-year-old Everett Shantez Yates of Kevil. Yates was moderately injured and two other passengers in her vehicle, Tony Jones, 15, of East Prairie and Brandy I. Jones, 9, of Kevil, sustained serious injuries.